Normal sabre rattling every time this joint exercise happens. Don't know how long the Norks have been doing it in response but it's at least since the 70s. If they ever don't throw a hissy fit then it's time to be concerned.

I took to heart a statement by a soldier who had been stationed in Korea for many years: “For at least a decade or two, US forces have been in South Korea to settle down the South Korean army and keep them from beating seven bells out of North Korea.”

In the 70s I worked in the command center in Yong Son.
The NOrth would fly jets at the border causeing us to scramble jets from Kimpo airbase to meet their challenge.
At the last moment prior to getting to the border they’d peel off and go back to their bases.
Seoul is about 30 miles from the border and it would take only a few minutes for them to reach Seoul.
Personally I’ve worked with the ROC army (that being South Korea) and I wouldn’t care to fight them. They are well prepped and bad asses.